Question

Which of the following distinguishing electron configurations is characteristic of noble gases?

a. nf₁₄

b. nd₁₀

c. np₆

d. ns₂

Answer 1

C. np6

Step-by-step explanation:

The electron configurations for noble gases typically end in an electron configuration of ns²np⁶.

a. nf₁₄ - This configuration doesn't represent a known electron configuration. It's not characteristic of a noble gas.

b. nd₁₀ - This represents a filled d subshell, which is not characteristic of noble gases.

c. np₆ - This represents a filled p subshell. Noble gases typically have a filled ns²np⁶ configuration, so this is characteristic of noble gases.

d. ns₂ - This represents a filled s subshell, but it lacks the filled p subshell typical of noble gases.

So, the correct answer is:

c. np₆

Answer 2

The electron configuration that is characteristic of noble gases is np^6.

So, the correct option is c. np₆.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electron configuration that is characteristic of noble gases is np₂. Noble gases have completely filled outermost electron shells, which means their electron configuration ends with the np₂ orbitals.

For example, the electron configuration of Neon (Ne) is 1s⁴2s⁴2p⁶. So, the correct option is c. np₆.